Nine years ago today, March 25th, a terrified and abused little nekked dog stepped out of a rescue lady’s van and wrapped his little Xolo hands around my heart. Wearing an oversized baggy sweater he came slinking up to snatch an offered bribe, darting back quickly in fear. Suddenly he exploded and a squirmish ensued as the rescue lady’s Whippet also wanted that peace offering. With that introduction and an exchange of $66.50 in cash for a what was to become a “special needs” Xolo, we left the truck stop rendezvous and headed home with our scared little rescue.
The dog with many names! First, “Snoopy,” his original name when turned into the shelter because his owners “were moving” — aka dumping a problem dog they
probably bought on a whim; next, the “Walla Walla Crestie” because he was turned in as a Chinese Crested; then, “The Walla Walla Xolo”, his rescue name given by the many who campaigned to spare him from pending execution as it was realized that he was in fact, a Xolo, not a Crestie; and NOW Gwinn-Dell9 9s Don Quixote Mex CGC NAC O-NAC S-NAC NCC O-NCC S-NCC O-CC OAC O-OAC NJC O-NJC S-NJC OJC O-OJC S-OJC NJS-N NGC O-NGC S-NGC TN-N O-TN-N S-TN-N TN-O O-TN-O S-TN-O WV-N O-WV-N S-WV-N TG-N O-TG-N S-TG-N TG-O O-TG-O AG-N OGC EJC S-TN-O WV-O S-TG-N RN RS-N GS-N CL3-R CL3-F CL3-H CL3-S PS1 PJ1 TBAD TG-1 TIAD NAJ NA OA OAJ AJX O-OCC-V, his agility name. . . . This is my beloved Quixote aka The Rotten Rubber Dog aka The=2 0RRD.
A few hours from execution, Quixote’s doom was scheduled and I had to plead for them to spare him. They had wanted to euthanize him as soon as he arrived because20he was hairless. His 3 week stay netted no potential owners; his abuse, terror, and subsequent hatred for people was evident, and he, like many of the shelter dogs that spring, was terribly ill. In addition, his execution was already pending when I called, e-mailed, and begged for his life. Reluctantly they relented, emphasizing that I must pay cash. Thus we headed to eastern Oregon to meet the kind rescue lady and the “Walla Walla Xolo.”
Quixote grew from a fearful, people hating mistreated rescue to one of the breed’s most famous. He is the first of his breed to earn an Elite agility title, the first Xolo to earn a NADAC Triple Superior, the first Xolo to make #1 Elite Jumpers Xolo, the first Xolo to earn an AKC Excellent title . . . . Once a few hours away from execution, he has become an outstanding ambassador for the breed. He loves people and educates thousands about this wonderful breed. His fan club stretches across the world and his little Xolo antics entertain and endear him to all who meet him. From rags to riches, Quixote’s picture appeared in hi s homeland on a Xolo display at Mexico’s World Dog show.
Thanks to Quixote I found this wonderful breed. Thanks to Quixote we are hooked on the breed and are owned by 5 RRDs. Thanks to Quixote the breed has a registry for Xolos in the USA, as starting with a cardboard box and a pile of pedigrees with names in a strange language, I developed a database which tracks coat type, size, and heritage and documents the history of Xolo lineage in the USA. Thanks to Quixote, I found agility, our passion and found many dear friends. Thanks to Quixote I have Xolo friends throughout the world. One dear friend is Gary Armitage who, through Crestie Care, lead the campaign to save the Walla Walla death row inmate. Quixote’s “Uncle Gary” was instrumental in keeping him alive. Thanks to Sharon, the Borzoi/Whippet lady who fostered him and met us at that truck stop.
I found my heart-dog and best friend. This weekend, we celebrate with 3 days of running in AKC Excellent agility. Quixote, a little “throw-away” death row dog has helped me realize the impossible dream.
~ Barbara
Gwinn-Dell Xoloitzcuintle & Irish Wolfhounds & a couple of goofy Goldens
BesitoXolo Kennel 